Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BISHOP

A high office in early Church ministry and governance. It is not clear when the word (Gk. epískopos), as used in early Christian circles, passed from the generic meaning “overseer” or “guardian” to the specific meaning “bishop.” The former meaning is likely in Acts 20:28, where Paul is said to have described the elders of the church at Ephesus (v. 17) as epískopoi of the flock, appointed by the Holy Spirit (cf. the association of elders, flock, and exercising guardianship [from the verb episkopéō] in 1 Pet. 5:1-2). The pastoral connection is also found in 1 Pet. 2:25, where Jesus is described as the Shepherd and epískopos of our souls. For a similar generic meaning of the related word episkopḗ (“position of overseer”), cf. Acts 1:20 (citing Ps. 109:8 LXX).

The meaning “bishop” seems probable in Phil. 1:1, where Paul addresses epískopoi along with deacons. By the time of the Pastoral Epistles, the tradition of aspiring to the office of bishop (episkopḗ) was well established and approved (1 Tim. 3:1). Congregations received counsel on the types of persons suited for the office (1 Tim. 3:2-7; Tit. 1:7-9). The characteristics included exemplary personal, domestic, and organizational traits. While it is clear that bishops at that time were distinct from deacons, their relationship to elders is more uncertain. Both 1 Timothy and Titus include material about elders that complements (1 Tim. 5:17-22) and overlaps (Tit. 1:5-6) their discussions of bishops. The latter may be a superior subset of the former or may be appointed by them (possibly suggested in 1 Tim. 4:14), or the two may be different titles for the same office. Certainly, by the time of Ignatius (early 2nd century) the two positions were distinct.

Warren C. Trenchard

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

BISHOP

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)